BusinessOpportunity.com Identifies Ten Hot Business Opportunity and Other Small Business Trends for 2013

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View the top ten business opportunity trends that BusinessOpportunity.com views as the ones to watch in 2013.

Chicago, Illinois (PRWEB)January 18, 2013

BusinessOpportunity.com looks upon each year as an opportunity to examine where the company has been and more importantly where it's headed—personally, professionally and as a society. Given that the decision to become and remain an entrepreneur often is rooted in the goals that exist around these variables, it’s also the perfect time to do a little forecasting.

“If there’s anything 2012 taught us it’s that buying and building a business opportunity, franchise or any small business into a profitable enterprise first requires research, some careful planning and a perspective on what works,” said Todd Hatch, BusinessOpportunity.com’s COO. “And that level of assessment starts with a view of what the future is likely to hold not only in the way of demand, but how business owners can best market and deliver their products.”

With this in mind, here’s a look at ten trends that BusinessOpportunity.com believes prospective and existing business opportunity owners will want to know about:

1. Seniors and Kids

Two words that pretty much sum up where an increasing number of us are putting our money, time and energy these days. Add to that the budget cuts in social services and public education, and it's no surprise that the need for products and services aimed at these two demographic groups is rising. When it comes to kids, any business opportunity that keeps them smart and safe is a good gamble. As for the older set, any service that assists them in managing their way through the aging process is likely to be a winner.

2. The “Green” Revolution

The world’s drive to find more sustainable and less costly energy alternatives is just beginning. Energy monitoring, environmentally conscious construction, waste removal and recycling, even just owning a business that uses eco-friendly products to deliver its services…the list of work-at-home and other business opportunities and small franchises that accommodate the newly environmentally conscious consumer is growing with every day.

3. Social Media Marketing

For those of you who think we’re interconnected enough right now hold on to your hats. The ride from here on out is going to get even faster as more consumers become comfortable with their smartphones. Business opportunity, franchise and other small business owners who don’t want to get left behind would do well to get up to speed. That means having an actual social media marketing strategy and plan, one that is manageable and actionable with set goals and measureable objectives. It’s really just the beginning.

4. Made in the USA

More than half of Americans think that it’s very important to buy products made in the USA, and many of them are actively looking to do just that. All the recent political rhetoric about issues like sending jobs overseas, the overabundance of imports from China, and even the auto industry bail out has many of us thinking about where all our “stuff” actually comes from. Buying and building a business that can proudly state it directly and purposefully uses, makes and supports goods that strengthen our economy here at home is a wise move.

5. The Virtual Office

The old days of cubicles, water coolers and conference rooms are yielding rapidly to laptops, tablets and smartphones, cloud-based computing and Skype-powered video chats. Nearly six million Americans are already working from home, and that number is only expected to skyrocket over the next decade. In fact, many small businesses will never establish a physical brick and mortar presence. Why would they when companies that provide even the most traditional back-office support services, like human resources, are becoming part of the growing virtualization movement?

6. Personalization

We now want our products and services to be tailor-made wherever and whenever possible. Personalized beauty samples, created by running individual algorithms through a system that matches products to their user, are the next big thing. And all predictions are that medicine and especially pharmaceuticals will likely be highly individualized in the near future as well. Additionally, products and services that cater to the specific needs of various groups as defined by gender, race, ethnicity, age and even sexual orientation are also finding a loyal audience.

7. Beauty

As Americans wake up to the fact that quality of life is every bit as if not more important that quantity, the multi-billion-dollar beauty and wellness movement has taken off. According to industry experts, the already impressive spending trend is leaning even more heavily toward higher-performance products and services. Body wraps, tanning, cellulite reduction, weight loss, spa services, massage…the list of Beauty/Personal Care and Cosmetics business opportunities that capitalize on this trend is impressive.

8. Food Industry

Global flavors of all kinds are the rage, and the build-your-own-dish and know-what-you’re-eating movement is on the rise. As for the restaurant and food service industry overall, all predictions are good for 2013. According to the National Restaurant Association, restaurant industry sales are expected to exceed $660 billion in 2013, a 3.8 percent increase and marking the fourth consecutive year of sales growth for the industry making business opportunities in the Food Service sector a good bet.

9. Vending Products

What do such recent innovations as touchscreen technology and electronic payment options have in common? They are contributing to the steadily profitable and yet rapidly evolving vending machine industry, which was estimated to generate a healthy $42 billion last year alone. Buying everything from organic and healthier snacks to shoes, art work to fresh-cut flowers, and skin care to pharmaceuticals. Availability, instant gratification, no hassle/sales pitch to deal with and exciting new product options combine to create unbeatable customer appeal.

10. Pets

The billion dollar pet industry is thriving, as we Americans continue to pamper our furry family members. Despite the fact that the overall economy is taking some time to rebound, annual revenue growth in the pet industry is expected to hover somewhere in the neighborhood of 4½ percent each year until 2016. Ensuring that anyone who invests in a business opportunity that caters to our desire to care for our pets in grand style will be poised to make the most of it.

Since its start in 2003, BusinessOpportunity.com has remained a leader in the business opportunities industry. It consistently ranks on page one, if not first, for a number of the most industry-relevant keywords and keyword combinations on the world’s primary search engines, including Google.